European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS)
ECTS makes teaching and learning more transparent and facilitates the recognition of studies (formal, non-formal and informal). The system is used across Europe for credit transfer (student mobility) and credit accumulation (learning paths towards a degree). It also informs curriculum design and quality assurance.
Institutions which apply ECTS publish their course catalogues on the web, including detailed descriptions of study programmes, units of learning, university regulations and student services. Course descriptions contain learning outcomes (what students are expected to know, understand and be able to do) and workload (the time students typically need to achieve the learning outcomes), expressed in terms of credits. In most cases, student workload ranges from 1,500 to 1,800 hours for an academic year, and one credit corresponds to 25-30 hours of work.Credit transfer and accumulation are helped by the use of the ECTS key documents (course catalogue, learning agreement, and transcript of records) as well as the Diploma Supplement.
ECTS can feed into recognition decisions. These decisions, however, remain the responsibility of the competent authorities: professors involved in student exchange, university admission officers, recognition advisory centres (ENIC-NARIC), ministry officials or employers.
The basic principles of ECTS are summarised in the ECTS Key Features
. More detailed guidance, answers to frequently asked questions and examples of good practice can be found in the ECTS Users' Guide.Institutions which apply ECTS or the Diploma Supplement in an exemplary manner can apply for the ECTS or DS Label.
The European Commission is helping universities to use ECTS correctly through the provision of guidance materials, by establishing and supporting a network of ECTS/DS Counsellors (National Teams of Bologna Experts) and through the development and implementation of the ECTS and DS labels.
Standard forms of the ECTS Users' Guide
- Erasmus Student Application Form (word format)
- Erasmus Learning Agreement (word format)
- Erasmus Training Agreement (word format)
- Erasmus Transcript of Records (word format)
